Living only 45 minutes or so from the ocean opens up a whole new world of weekend activities, and my family especially enjoys going whale-watching and deep-sea fishing. My husband has fished since he was little, both freshwater and salt water, and loves to share his hobby with the mini macaronis. We frequently toss a line into the pond at NARA Park in Acton or other local ponds, and you’d be surprised how quickly fish will start hitting. 95% of the fish go back in the water but the kids love the thrill of catching their own fish. Once or twice a summer, Troy and my oldest son head out to Yankee Fleet in Gloucester for a half-day of deep-sea fishing. They love everything about it – sun and sea, waiting for that tug on the line, fighting a bit with the fish to get it on board, and then hoping for a keeper.
If you and your children enjoy fishing or even have never tried it but are interested, Yankee Fleet will provide a wonderful experience. They’ve been running fishing and whale-watching boats out of Gloucester for over 60 years, so they are experts at making your day truly enjoyable. Their boats are clean and in excellent shape, with restrooms, a galley offering light breakfasts and lunches, snacks and drinks, and comfortable seating both inside and out. The crew is always friendly and polite and very helpful if you’re a novice at fishing. They offer both half-day and full-day deep-sea fishing excursions on party boats as well as the option to charter a boat for a small group. Your rod, reel and bait are provided. You do need to bait your own hook but the crew will help you get the fish you catch on board, will take it off the hook for you, and will measure it to make sure if it’s a keeper. They’ll even fillet your fish for only $1 each, plus $.50-$1 for the plastic bag. Definitely have the crew fillet your fish – it’s totally worth the small cost.
Troy and Ben went out on a recent Friday and had a perfect day on the water. The water was calm as a bath, and it was sunny and warm. (Always bring layers, sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat when going out on the water – the breeze can be cool but the sun can get quite hot.) It took about 45 minutes to motor out to the fishing area, and they enjoyed beautiful views of the harbor, birds, and even the Boston skyline off in the distance. The captain used a fish finder to make sure the boat was above a good fishing area. The first fishing spot was at about 180 feet depth, and then they moved to a new spot that was about 230 feet. There were lots of families on board, and the crew was very helpful getting everyone set up to fish and helping them through the process. Deep-sea fishing can be a bit of a workout for children, since the line is dropped all the way to the bottom and then pulled up a few feet. Every time you check your bait or – even better – reel in a fish, you’re pulling in well over a hundred feet of line (and hopefully an active, heavy fish on the line!) so little arms will get tired. Troy and Ben had a good day, pulling in nine fish between them with five being keepers.
Yankee Fleet (www.yankeefleet.com) offers a variety of trip options, including half-day trips (8-12:30 or 1-5:30) on weekdays and weekends all summer, full-day fishing (9 hours) from mid-March through November, and even extended day and two-day trips. Call ahead to 1-855-546-3474 to reserve your spots. They’re currently offering a family discount for $50 off, plus a $10 galley voucher, for 2 adults and 2 children on Monday-Friday or Sunday. While you’re in Gloucester, be sure to explore the sights or visit the beach (bring a cooler with ice to hold all your fish!).
